Singer-songwriter and actress Reneé Rapp released the deluxe version of her debut EP, “Everything to Everyone” on Feb. 24. Rapp is well known for starring as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls,” and is reprising the role in the film adaptation of the musical. She also currently appears as Leighton in “The Sex Lives of College Girls” on HBO Max. 

Two new songs, “Bruises” and “Everything to Everyone – Extended Version” bring the EP to nine total songs. Following the popular “Too Well” and “In the Kitchen,” Rapp expresses herself in each track as you cycle through a record of self-reflection. 

The extended version of the EP’s intro song, “Everything to Everyone” brings in new instrumentals and an additional verse, neither of which are heard in the original opening track. The non-extended version was sung entirely acapella, highlighting Rapp’s impressive vocal range. Instrumentals that set the extended version apart could’ve been made more effective by coming in later into the extended version, to create a more gradual build. Nevertheless, it has still become one of my favorite tracks on the album. 

“Bruises” sounds like it could be a companion to “Don’t Tell My Mom” off the EP. With lyrics “all my friends make sweet fun of me, but the truth’s I bruise easily,” the song mirrors “Don’t Tell My Mom.” In the latter, Rapp sings “Don’t worry about me, just worry about you; so don’t tell my mom, I’m fallin’ apart…’Cause she’s dealt with this for years, I got it this time.” The lyrics from the separate songs show a vulnerable side of Rapp, not wanting to tell anyone how she truly feels–– not telling her friends that words can hurt, and hiding her true feelings from her family

The production and sound of “Bruises,” however, conjure “In the Kitchen” off the same EP. The instrumentals are heavy, and the emotion she is outpouring in both songs makes them sound like sisters. 

“Bruises” has an accompanying music video that brings to life her metaphor of how words can hurt. As people throughout the video stab a number of knives into Rapp’s back and chest, you see the more sensitive side of her as she copes with people hurting her––not only through physically stabbing knives into her but through their words spoken to her before the knives are stabbed. Rapp has exceptional acting skills from her lengthy resume on screen and stage, and it shows in this powerful music video.  

This EP may be Rapp’s first, but it’s safe to say it won’t be her last. Between her devotion to pouring her emotions into her craft and excellence in doing so, Reneé Rapp could soon become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.